Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-08


TONS FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE
VOLUNTEER soLDIERY-THE REGULAR MILITARY
SERVICE
AdJutant-General Drum, in his annual report to
the secretary of War, states that the steadily
increasing interest manifested by the militia OF
the States is evidenced by the high percentage Of
attendance at the annual encampmentS and the
generally excellent military spirit OF the troops
With the liberal increase OF the appropriation
made at the last session Of Congress for the benefit
OF the militia, it is earnestly hoped that the State
military authorities Will, by an increased allow
ance Of ammunition, foster and develop the eff
cheney OF the rank and file In target firing.
Much beneht, he thinks, would undOubt-
edly result from the establishment during
each encampnent OF an officers school for nstruc.
ton in battalion drill and the administration OF a
post. He also suggests the advantage OF holding
weekly, during the winter months, non-com-
missioned officers school Uhe captain as instruc-
tor, i0r instruction in company drill, duties OF
guards and Sentineli, ana the administration OF a
company. Young Officers OF the Army could be
spared during the winter TO report TO the autantS-
general OF States or application OF The governors,
to aid In The instruction OF both officers and nOn-
commissioned officers.
MILITARY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
The reports OF officers on duty as military pro-
fessors in colleges and universities are generally
satisfactory, and evidence widening sense OF ap-
probation OF the value OF the early ana partial In
str1ction 0! The youths OF the couHtry in military
studies and habits. The average number OF
students attending these institutions was 6GeI OF
WHOM go attended artillery drills and 3,213 In
fantry drills. The recent inspection OF colleges
having military details has resulted In great bene-
mt, and It's continuance under special Instructions
from the War Department Is recommended.
THE PAY OF NON-COHMIssIoNED OFFICERS
is not sufficient incentive In the opinion OF the
AdJutant-General, to tempt the best and most re-
liable soldiers to accept the POSITIONS while 1t is
often TO the pecnniary interest OF the men to re-
main In the ranks, as private on extra duty re-
Celves more pay than the serseant-majOr or quar-
teImaster sergeant OF a regiment.
The Ad1utant-tieneral thinks that the pay OF
the lowest non-c0mniss0ned officers should not
be less than S2o, and that the pay of the entire
class should be readJusted on the suggested pay
IQr the lowest position 10 $50 or $50 for the highest
ON THE SUBJECT OF DISCHARGES q.
In the army the report states that the presence in
the ranks OF nearly 70 per cent. Of the legal
strength OF the Army, with the service ranging
from three to thirty-nve years, indicates clearly
that the great majority OF the men who desert or
have less than three years service. In order TO
eliminate from the Army, without injury to the
government men either inapt for military service
or rendered restless and discontented by the de-
mandS and restraints of soldiers life the Adutant
General recommends that, except where long and
ishiai service constitute strong element OF ia
VoraDie CONSIDERATION, discharges be made Dur.
chasable by the payment OF a sum sufficient to re-
imearse the government the expense OF recruiting
and transportation
THE MILITARY PRISON.
The administration Of the affairs OF the military
prison at Fort LeavenwOrth, the report says, has
been satisfactorily conducted during the past year.
and the prison has probably reached the limit of
lts growth while the Army remains at It's present
standard. The accommodations are believed to be
Sulcleht Tor The mum ber OF prisoners which 1t may
De necessary TO send to the prison.
During tne year forty-eight persons were CON-
mitted TO the Government hospital for the insane
by the order OF the Secretary OF war. Five were
of1icers, thirty-four enlisted men seven military
prisoners, and two late soldiers OF the Army.
Ia conclusion, the Acknowledgment states that